There is one advantage brought about by the Covid quarantine - we can attend events without leaving home! The LWV-Michigan Biennial Convention is being held May 21 & 22, 2021. Our League will have 7 voting delegates in attendance, but it is easier than ever to attend as a non-voting league member. Non-voting members pay only $35 to attend all or parts of the convention. This allows you to hear informational sessions and to see how priorities are set for the State League to act on in the coming two years.

See details and register by May 10 at https://lwvmi.org/member/mem_currentProjects.html

The ICRC (Redistricting Commission) is working on the development of a Community of Interest (COI) related to the watershed of the rivers involved in the recent flooding and dam break. A hearing will be held in Midland on May 19. More information to come as information is released.

The Michigan Constitution requires the Commission to hold at least 10 public hearings before starting to draw the maps. The Commission plans to hold in-person hearings in various parts of the state in May and early June. Dates and places for the hearings will be posted at RedistrictingMichigan.org. The public will also be able to watch the hearings via the internet. If in-person hearings are not feasible, they will be held virtually.

Testimony from the General Public and COI: The general public and Communities of Interest (COI) will be invited to submit testimony concerning the maps at the public hearings. Over 100 local League team members are taking training in how to identify and support COI in their communities. COI are a group of people who share a common bond which could be economic, ethnic, cultural, or environmental. Examples of possible COI are cherry farmers, school districts, lake shore residents, Native American Tribes, and neighborhoods. The COI must be contiguous and members must live in a compact area that could be included in a specific legislative or congressional district. If the members of the COI don’t want to be split up among several legislative or congressional districts, they will have an opportunity to make that request by testifying at the public hearings.

See what the Commission is doing: Calendar

We Hear You Coalition - Working to improve equity and inclusion in Midland

Join Mayor Maureen Donker, Council Member Diane Brown Wilhelm, and Chief of Police Nicole Ford in taking the survey to share your experiences with racial/ethnic (in)equity in Midland County.

The We Hear You, Midland Racial and Ethnic Equity and Inclusion Survey, developed in conjunction with Saginaw Valley State University, explores issues of racial and ethnic inequity and offers community members an opportunity to share their experiences directly with community leaders.

We encourage all League members who live in Midland County and are over 18 to take the survey.

The LWVMI membership numbers have reached an all-time high of over 2600. This indicates a total that is almost double in recent years. Our 24 independent Leagues, 3 Member-At-Large State Units, and 6 Geographical Units underline that the League is needed now more than ever.

Our membership growth will carry the message of our mission Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy to our communities. Membership growth will continue to be more Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive through your efforts to reach out to underserved communities and to work towards the League looking like our population.

from League Links, Feb 2021

The For the People Act is the democracy reform bill the American people want and deserve. This legislation will put power back into the hands of American voters by making voting easier and more accessible and by modernizing future elections. Over the last two years, we saw the bill pass the House or Representatives, but get stalled at the Senate. But we cannot let this happen again. The House has just passed the For the People Act again - it is now time for the Senate to fulfill their duty for our democracy.

Tell your Senator how important this reform package is to the future of our democracy. Contact your Representative* TODAY and implore them to support the reintroduction of the For the People Act. 

Gary Peters (D) https://www.peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary

Debbie Stabenow (D) https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/contact

What kind of advocacy is LWVMI doing on Line 5 and other environmental issues, voting rights, prison reform, education, gun safety? How can you advocate in your own community?  Interested persons are invited to join the Committee Meeting on March 23 at 7pm for more information. If you’re interested, contact Kim Steinke, 488-2296

The League of Women Voters of the United States has a regular newsletter called League Update. You must sign up to receive this newsletter. Sign up for the League Update.

The LWV of Michigan has a newsletter called League Links sent to all members after each monthly state Board meeting. Look for LWVMI in your email.

Part of the League's advocacy program is to encourage members to contact their representatives when the League asks so that government representatives are aware of constituent's opinions. It is important to keep up with League positions and respond to requests.

Both organizations send out periodic updates when there are urgent messages and an immediate need for a response.

Covid Vaccinations: Update from MidMichigan Health about Covid-19 vaccinations.

Mar 10, 10 a.m. – Local Position discussion and finalization of 2021-2022 Local Program. Zoom

May 26, 7 p.m. - Annual Meeting. Zoom **Note Change of Date**

May 21-22 - LWVMI Convention on Zoom. Any members may attend convention. Information about Convention.

Midland County Newsletter (sign-up for monthly newsletter)